Lawyers argue over who pulled trigger in murder

Published: Thursday, October 26, 1995 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 26, 1995 at 12:00 a.m.

Both prosecution and defense lawyers say 23-year-old Larry William Young was trying to break up a fistfight when he was fatally shot by a stray bullet. They just don't agree on who pulled the trigger. Prosecutors allege that 18-year-old Danielle Cohen picked up a gun on July 14, 1994, off the steps of a building at Fairforest Creek Apartments and began shooting in Young's direction. Cohen, whose murder trial began Wednesday, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. During opening arguments, Spartanburg defense lawyer Andy Johnston told the jury that prosecutors have no murder weapon, no tests and no credible witnesses to prove Cohen pulled the trigger. Young's death was a terrible tragedy, Johnston said. "But it would be a much worse tragedy to convict Danielle Cohen for his murder when he did not do it," Johnston said. Johnston maintains another person fired the fatal bullet, perhaps someone involved in the fight Young was trying to break up. Renaldo Price and another man were fighting when Young, who had just met Price, tried to get them to calm down. Prosecutors say the two men agreed to a fistfight because the other man had a gun but Price did not. So the other man put his gun on the steps of the apartment building. Both Price and another eyewitness offered conflicting testimony Wednesday, each placing people at different locations. Price and James Wright, who did not give police statements until they were arrested on other charges, said they saw Cohen grab the gun and shoot. Under cross- examination, Wright admitted he could not have seen Cohen pick up the gun. Testimony in the case is expected to end today.

<p> Both prosecution and defense lawyers say 23-year-old Larry William Young was trying to break up a fistfight when he was fatally shot by a stray bullet. They just don't agree on who pulled the trigger. Prosecutors allege that 18-year-old Danielle Cohen picked up a gun on July 14, 1994, off the steps of a building at Fairforest Creek Apartments and began shooting in Young's direction. Cohen, whose murder trial began Wednesday, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. During opening arguments, Spartanburg defense lawyer Andy Johnston told the jury that prosecutors have no murder weapon, no tests and no credible witnesses to prove Cohen pulled the trigger. Young's death was a terrible tragedy, Johnston said. "But it would be a much worse tragedy to convict Danielle Cohen for his murder when he did not do it," Johnston said. Johnston maintains another person fired the fatal bullet, perhaps someone involved in the fight Young was trying to break up. Renaldo Price and another man were fighting when Young, who had just met Price, tried to get them to calm down. Prosecutors say the two men agreed to a fistfight because the other man had a gun but Price did not. So the other man put his gun on the steps of the apartment building. Both Price and another eyewitness offered conflicting testimony Wednesday, each placing people at different locations. Price and James Wright, who did not give police statements until they were arrested on other charges, said they saw Cohen grab the gun and shoot. Under cross- examination, Wright admitted he could not have seen Cohen pick up the gun. Testimony in the case is expected to end today.</p><p>2CROSS.FIR</p>